Unearthly and Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Wow, I seriously was surprised by how good this series is so far! I mean, you guys kept on telling me how much I’d love it, but to be honest, I was a bit apprehensive. I have high standards for my angel fiction. Plus that pretty cover? Gosh, I fell in love with that cover the moment I saw it. Well, I’m happy to report that the hype, the few of you who nagged me... you were all right. I *loved* “Unearthly” and its sequel, “Hallowed”. I cannot wait until the 3rd book comes out next year!

In Ms. Hand’s version of our universe, angels bred with human beings and another species was formed - angel bloods. Each descendant, each “angel blood” is given a purpose from the big guy, told to them in visions or dreams. At the top of book one, our heroine, Clara, begins having a series of visions, laying out her purpose. Once her mother help her figure out where she needs to be, she and her brother are whisked away from California to Jackson, Wyoming. New school, cute boys, and a purpose from God - talk about an interesting life as a teenager.

The feel of the story was a bit stereotypical at first, but as “Unearthly” developed, I fell in love with the characters and couldn’t wait to read more. I ended up reading these two books in a matter of days and it was worth the lack of sleep! “Unearthly” was charming, fun and intriguing, but it wasn’t until “http://amzn.to/w1u8Y1” that I can truly say that this series had me hook, line, and sinker. Ms. Hand really found her flow in the 2nd book and it showed. It was much more polished and the storyline was incredibly heartbreaking and full of so many levels. Have a tissue box nearby folks. This one hit a little close to home for me and I spent the next 30 minutes sobbing into my pillow so I wouldn’t wake my husband. I know that sounds like a bad thing, but it isn’t. I connected so deeply to these characters that I just couldn’t help myself.

“Unearthly” and “Hallowed” are published by HarperTeen. “Hallowed” will hit shelves on January 24th. In the mean time, “Unearthly” is on sale for only 99 cents for all eReaders! Get it while it’s hot, people.

A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

“A Beautiful Dark” is a stereotypical, albeit well-written, paranormal romance. I don’t mean that as an insult though. I *like* the stereotypical paranormal romance formula. It works for me and I take comfort in its familiar feeling. It’s my old cozy shirt for reading - I know it has some holes in it, but I’m okay with that. This book was definitely a wonderful addition to that genre. Plus.. it was an angel oriented paranormal book that I liked. These are so few and far between.

The story revolves around Skye, who meets two mysterious handsome gentlemen on the night of her seventeenth birthday where they bust into her birthday party fighting. The next day, she discovers they are new students at her school and it seems they’ve taken a keen interest in her. They say they’re cousins, but something is just not right. They’re polar opposites, having only their good looks (although very different features) in common. She soon learns that they’ve come for her and that the life she knew isn’t as normal as she thought. She discovers two sides within herself, both in regards to the boys she can’t help but be attracted to and a war she now has become a key player in. What side and with that, what boy, will she chose? The world hangs in balance, waiting to find out.

Like my little dramatic summary? Why thank you! In all seriousness though, it’s well-written, good ol’ paranormal fun. Love Triangles with Hotties + Interesting Mythology + Action/World Deciding Decisions = crazy fun in my book. If that isn’t your cup of tea, skip this one. I personally cannot wait to find out what happens next. The cliffhanger is a doozie!

A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies was published by HarperTeen in September. I received a digital copy to review via Netgalley.com.

A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

Suzanne Young’s “A Need So Beautiful” is a classic tale of good vs. evil and duty vs. personal desires. The plot is a bit formulaic, but it’s a formula that works and is well used by Ms. Young. Her writing is engrossing and it brings you in and doesn’t let you go. I read “A Need So Beautiful” in less than 24 hours... I just couldn’t stop. I cared so much for the characters and needed to find out what happened to them in the end.

Charlotte tries as hard as she can to lead an ordinary life, but fate has other ideas. She keeps getting these impulses to help strangers. She’ll be minding her own business, spending time with her sexy motorcycle ridin’ boyfriend and wham! She’s hit with an overwhelming urge to help someone specific who needs her help. They could be across town or in the building nearby. The need guides her to wherever she is needed. She has kept this urge a secret from her loved ones (her best friend just thinks she’s psychic), but it’s starting to consume her life and now her body. She finds out that she is part of a bigger plan and that her existence on earth is limited. However, when an eerie woman offers her an opportunity to stay with the boy and family she loves, will she choose to stay with the people she loves even if she may turn into a monster? Will she embrace her destiny and be the light the world needs?

This book is paranormal light. Despite being about angels and good vs. evil, it really has a contemporary feel to it. In fact, Suzanne Young talked about that a little bit in our Authors are ROCKSTARS! interview. She wrote it first as a contemporary, then laced in the paranormal elements. I think it would be a great book to recommend to people who aren’t really into paranormal romance, but are interested in trying it out. Ms. Young does a great job avoiding any major religious affiliation with the angels, so for those that are religiously squeamish, do not avoid this book based on that fear. The relationship between Harlin and Charlotte is so sweet as is her friendship with Sarah. You really connect with Charlotte and feel her pain at helping out so many strangers while not being able to aid those dearest to her.

This is truly the first published angel book I have read that I’ve enjoyed. Have a tissue box ready though folks. Ms. Young really makes you care for these characters and with the decision Charlotte has to make, a happy ending is just not in the cards for Charlotte.

“A Need So Beautiful” was published by Balzer + Bray (HarperCollins) in June of this year. I purchased this book. Be sure to go listen to the podcast with Suzanne Young, Cindy Pon, Nova Ren Suma and Holly Goldberg Sloan over at AuthorsareROCKSTARS.com.

Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly

L.A. Weatherly’s “Angel Burn” is the first installment of a paranormal trilogy (what isn’t a trilogy these days?). In “Angel Burn”, angels are creatures that stalk human beings and prey on their life energy. They feed on humans’ energies a la vampires and cause lots of residual damage such as cancers, mental illness, etc. Alex is a ruthless assassin who was trained in the art of killing angels instead of having a normal childhood. At seventeen, he works for the CIA as part of a mission to rid the planet of these predators. His life is the same repeated routine for over two years now, get a target, kill a target, move on. Then he meets Willow and everything changes. Without going into too many spoilers, it’s boy meets girl, girl and boy hate each other, girl and boy fall in love and experience a life-threatening adventure to save the world. Ya know, the same stuff that happens to all of us everyday.

I’m on the fence about L.A. Weatherly’s “Angel Burn”. It reminded me a lot of Stephenie Meyer’s “The Host”. I really enjoyed it up until the mushy gushy parts, then it sort of crashed and burned (cue sad trombone noise) for me. The pacing just seemed to slow down dramatically and it became so soap opera-esque. It was a really disappointing turn to the story. Of course, I love mushy gushy parts as much as the next gal, but they can’t completely kill the action in a very action packed book. They need to move with the action and be energized by it.

I think it may just be me though. This book is extremely well loved. I also didn’t like Disney’s “Princess and the Frog” which was hatehatehate and then WHAM BAM THANK YOU MA’AM love. That’s kind of how I feel about “Angel Burn”. There was a lot of negativity and no build up to the romance. No give and pull back... teasing the reader. That’s what makes angsty stuff so delicious.

The other part of this book that got to me was the switching back and forth from first person to third person. The first time this transition happened I was so confused. It was jarring and hurt the pacing of the book a bit too. I adjusted with time, but I would have liked to have heard Alex’s thoughts from Alex directly.

Gosh, I sound like such a negative Nancy today! I did enjoy reading this book (I finished and that says a lot right there) and I will definitely be reading the sequel. I’m just not clamouring for it like I am with other trilogies I’ve read recently. The action sequences are excellent, the twist on angels is fun, and the characters are likable. If you like paranormal action-heavy romance books, you’ll love “Angel Burn”.

"Angel Burn" has already been released in the UK under the title “Angel”. It is scheduled to be released in the US on May 24th of this year. I received a digital ARC to review courtesy of the publisher Candlewick via NetGalley.

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

I’m afraid to say this, but I really did not enjoy “Angelfire”.. *runs and hides from adoring fangirls* It seems to me that I am one of the few who didn’t based on the reviews on goodreads.com. Why though? I’m not claiming expertise, but I’ve read a lot of young adult fiction and the storytelling here is mediocre at best.

This story all goes back to the original story…the battle of good versus evil. Ellie finds out on her seventeenth birthday that she’s not just a regular, spoiled teenager from a suburb of Detroit. She’s basically Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but replace vampires with demons and you’ve got it. She’s been reincarnated on earth time and time again to help the angels and God battle against Lucifer’s demons for the souls of innocent humans as Lucifer preps for the big ol’ war he’s been planning since his fall. While all of this is going on, she is faced with trying to hold onto her humanity, falling in love with her guardian, and trying to unlock the secrets of her past. Sounds pretty awesome right?

It should be, but unfortunately, it doesn’t live up to its potential. Since the bullet point format seemed to work well for me last time, let’s try it again!

• The writing, especially the dialogue, is clumsy and juvenile. Just like our heroine, the author seems unsure of herself as she tries to find her way through writing her first novel.
• Adding to the point above, one of the biggest pitfalls though of “Angelfire” was all the explaining in lieu of showing. This is where the pacing really got dragged through the mud. There were points where I just wanted to skip the deus ex machina style explanations and move onto the next big fight.
• Our heroine, Ellie, is likable enough, but I never really felt a connection to her, which made the book harder to read. I can read through clunky writing for a well-written, fully developed character, but I didn’t feel like Ms. Moulton found her footing with Ellie. Ellie was just a tool to explain the plot instead of being a part of it.

Despite these faults, “Angelfire” did have some redeeming characteristics.

• Well written, super exciting action sequences - Ms. Moulton really excels in the action scenes. She does a great job at drawing you into the action and making the excitement come alive for you. I wanted to live in these action sequences.
• Will - though we’ve only just begun getting to know him, I couldn’t help but love his unwavering admiration and devotion to Ellie. Plus sparkling green eyes? Yummy!

Oh "Angelfire", I wanted to love you. Unfortunately, I just don’t think you were ready for the big time... or for me, anyways. I’m sure there will be others out there who will love and adore you, but I can’t. I’m sorry!

Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC. "Angelfire" is scheduled to be published on February 15, 2011.